Isner Stuns Federer in Davis Cup Tie

by John on February 10, 2012

John Isner shocked world No. 3 Roger Federer 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-2 Friday to give the visiting United States a 2-0 lead against Switzerland in the first round of the Davis Cup. “It’s the biggest win of my life,” Isner said. “But what it means to me, is our team is up 2-0. Hats off to Mardy for winning the first [rubber]. It took a lot of pressure off of me.” In the opening rubber, Mardy Fish, ranked No. 8 in the world and numero uno in the United States, rallied to defeat Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2, 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 9-7 in four hours and 26 minutes. Isner won for the first time in three meetings with Federer, thumping the Swiss Maestro with his big serve and booming groundstrokes on an indoor clay court. The big American’s victory ended Federer’s 15-match Davis Cup winning streak. Federer won the first set without dropping serve, while getting his only break of the match in the third game. Isner took the second set with a break in the sixth game, but failed to put any pressure on Federer’s serve in the third set. The Swiss failed to cash in on break-point opportunities in the sixth and eighth games and the set went to a tiebreaker. Isner led throughout and clinched it on his first set point with a deft volley at the net. The fourth set turned in the fifth game when Isner rallied from love-40 down with three big serves and two booming forehand winners. Federer couldn’t recover. Isner broke in the next game, held and broke again to stun the former No. 1 Swiss star. “I thought he played great,” Federer said. “He played it tough and served great when he had to. I just missed a couple more opportunities than he did and that’s what cost me the match.” Federer won just one of 12 break points in the match. Isner had 14 aces and 85 winners. The U.S. can eliminate Switzerland in doubles in the best-of-five series Saturday. Mike Bryan and 19-year-old Ryan Harrison will face Federer and Wawrinka. “I don’t know I have ever seen anyone finish a match against Roger Federer the way he did today,” U.S. captain Jim Courier said of Isner. “That was pretty amazing.”